Definition
却 (què) is an adverb meaning 'but, yet, however', used to emphasize a contrast or unexpected result. It goes before the verb, unlike 不过 (bù guò) which is a conjunction that often starts the second clause and is more colloquial. 却 is more formal and literary.
adverb
butyethowever (indicating contrast or unexpectedness)
Easily confused
- 劫jiélook-aliketo rob; to plunder; to seize by force
- 缺quēsound-aliketo lack, to be short of
- 法fǎlook-alikelaw
- 瘸quésound-aliketo be lame; to limp; to become lame
- 丢diūlook-aliketo lose; to misplace
- 脚jiǎolook-alikefoot
Examples
- ，却。Tiānqì hěn lěng, què tā chuān de hěn shǎo.The weather is very cold, yet he wears very little.
- ，却。Tā xuéxí hěn nǔlì, chéngjì què bù hǎo.He studies very hard, but his grades are not good.
- ，却。Wǒ yǐwéi tā zhīdào zhè jiàn shì, tā què shénme dōu bù zhīdào.I thought he knew about this matter, yet he knows nothing at all.
Grammar
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